Boyd Gaming to close Mississippi Casino in November
Boyd Gaming has confirmed that it will permanently close its Sam’s Town Hotel and Gaming Hall casino property in Tunica, Mississippi later this year.
The venue will shut its doors for the final time at 10 p.m. on November 9, according to the Commercial Appeal. The on-site hotel will close on the earlier date of November 2.
Boyd said it has no plans to open another casino in Mississippi, nor to relocate Sam’s Town to another location.
“This was not an easy decision,” Boyd said in a statement. “However, demand throughout the northwest Mississippi market has declined significantly over the past 20 years, with several of Tunica’s original casinos closing since 2014.
“Our decision to close Sam’s Town is a result of these market conditions. It follows our best efforts to adjust the business to address lower demand.”
Mississippi Bids Farewell to Boyd Casino After 30 Years
The venue opened in May 1994 as the third Sam’s Town-branded property from Boyd. At the time, it was the largest casino in Tunica.
Just two years after opening, a $40 million expansion led to the addition of new convention facilities and 350 new hotel rooms. In 2002, it also absorbed the neighboring Isle of Capri hotel and entertainment center.
At present, the property has approximately 700 hotel rooms, with around 700 slot machines currently operating.
Confirmation of its closure means just five casinos will remain in the area — half the number that existed in the mid-1990s.
